baitcaster, backlash

[ian515]

Don't know if this is the right spot for this, so feel free to move it.

I am still getting used to a baitcasting setup. I have always used fly fishing gear, or a spinning setup. I have gotten pretty good at casting crankbaits and spinner baits. when I switch to lighter plastics however, I get a lot of backlashing. I do adjust the tension when I switch to the plastics, but it doesn't seem to fix the backlash. I can't remember the model number of the reel, but its a pfluger, without the magnetic braking.

any input?

[Frogman]

I think it has alot to do with the reel.  I have found that some are way easier to use than others.  I feel like I can throw a baitcaster with the best of em.  I throw all of mine practically free spool now a days unless the wind is blowing.  I bought a Plueger Summit a while back because it was on sale and I wanted the All Star Rod it came on.  Anyways I could never get used to it.  I didn't have a backlash problem but couldn't get any distance out of it what so ever.   I don't know your budget but Abu Garcia reels are probably some of the easiest to throw and are def my favorite.  I taught a couple people to throw using the Black Maxx from Abu Garcia.  I would suggest that reel to anyone starting out.  It's cheap and will hold up until your ready to move up to the Revo SX!!!  I also like the BPS extreme.a

[ian515]

I was looking at the bps extreme and pro qualifier the other day, they also had the quantum van dam reel there as well for a decent price. are those OK reels? I would say I am looking to spend no more than $100

[Jigfishn10]

I have a fairly inexpensive set-up as well as a fairly expensive. The fairly expensive is a quantum reel on a St. Croix rod that I built just for that reel. I can throw anything but a wacky rigged trick worm with good accuracy. My inexpensive set-up is a round baitcast reel on a Shakespeare rod I bought when I first started learning baitcasters. I can skip a trick stick under a dock if I need to without a backlash on that reel. Take that round baitcaster off and put it on the St. Croix rod and forget it, that reel is junk.

My point is, The rod with a medium to medium fast action will probably get those soft plastics out there, while the fast to extra fast action rods will give you better accuracy on heavier lures. I totally believe in matching the rod to the reel

MHO of course.

[stealthcaster]

It really does depend on the reel, as mentioned above.  It also depends on the rod.  Imo, for soft plastics you would Ideally want a relatively lightweight, sensitive, 7' or 6'6" medium (or med/heavy) fast action rod, with just enough play to put a slight bend in the rod when casting a weightless worm.  As far as reels go, I am also an Abu Garcia fan.  I have owned many garcia reels. I recently purchased a Revo S after using my friends Revo SX for one day.  Three days ago I bought a 6'6" med/fast action st. croix avid casting rod for it.  With that setup I can cast a weightless Texas rigged 7.5" culprit 25 yards or so, effortlessly.  I couldn't have done that with my 5500 c3 (also a garcia).  It's good to have a reel capable of casting such light tackle, because when it comes to soft plastics you won't be able to cast as hard as you can with something like a crankbait.  Keep steady pressure on your spool and be gentle, you'll get it with practice.

[Mike Z]

ian515, don't feel bad. I went out today and tossed a 5" Senko (weightless) a mile with a new spool of braid I just put on last night. I figured no problem, a 3" Senko shouldn't be so hard... Well lets just say that I was able to cast the 3" Senko about 20 feet and if I tried to cast further I just got a birds nest that took 5-10 minutes to clear out each time. I gave up on the 3" and will let my kids us them on their spincast rods. Put the 5" Senko back on and was able to cast out there.

Anyway, I'm also looking for tips and tricks.

[flippin and pitchin]

Guys,

The weight of the lure adding the air resistance as it travels has to stay ahead of the rate that the line is coming off the spool.  You get the spool rotating so fast as you intiate your cast you can's catch up.  That's where the educated thumb becomes a must. Light lures, line line equals a spinning rod.

[endless]

I just got my wife the extreme combo. It seems ok. She was tossing the small bombers. She did also have a few backlash problems but she isn't use to fishing in general. I see where most says setting the brakes on 9. I have hers on i think 8. Now the pro qualifier I have and love. I have the 7.1:1 and used it for wacky tossing out yum's stickworm, 4" and 5" senkos. The pro qualifier is my frog setup so it's line with 30lb braid. I really like dbs braking, so easy to use. Another nice reel is carbonlite, I have that too. But your looking at if still the same price $119 for carbonlite compare to $79 for pro qualifier and $59 for extreme. I would get the pro over the extreme if can. Rcx is post to be a nice reel to if not minding purple.

[Nitrofreak]

Guys,

The weight of the lure adding the air resistance as it travels has to stay ahead of the rate that the line is coming off the spool. You get the spool rotating so fast as you intiate your cast you can's catch up. That's where the educated thumb becomes a must. Light lures, line line equals a spinning rod.

Good comment but you can still use bait casters with light line and lure's if you have a good set up and practice with it I have 2 set up's with light line's and lure's that work very well.

I am modifiying this to say I should have been a little clearer in that of saying it is very difficult to start off using a bait caster for what you are trying to do and that a spinning set- up would be the best thing for you to think about using untill you get aquainted with bait casters and I don't think there is one of us here that has not rat nested one a time or two.... or three.... or in my case several, Just dont give up and keep working at it and you will get really good with them.

[BobP]

A reel with a low mass spool and smaller line capacity helps when throwing light baits.  Unfortunately, reels of this type are the more expensive models within a company's reel lineup.  If you are new to baitcasting, you will get better at controlling casts as you gain experience, and baits in the 3/16 to 1/4 oz range will become routine.  Until then, don't rain on your own parade.  Use a spinning reel for light baits.  We fish to have fun, right? 

[islandbass]

ian515, don't feel bad. I went out today and tossed a 5" Senko (weightless) a mile with a new spool of braid I just put on last night. I figured no problem, a 3" Senko shouldn't be so hard... Well lets just say that I was able to cast the 3" Senko about 20 feet and if I tried to cast further I just got a birds nest that took 5-10 minutes to clear out each time. I gave up on the 3" and will let my kids us them on their spincast rods. Put the 5" Senko back on and was able to cast out there.

Anyway, I'm also looking for tips and tricks.

Yep, a 5" senko weighs 3/8 oz all be itself and any bc reel worth its salt must be able to toss that weight.  I know what you mean about the 3" senkos. With more time, the right rod and light line and a properly set reel, 3 inchers can be easily tossed. Maybe not a country mile but sufficiently far. Well, at least I know curados and those in the curado class or better can without issue.